Most companies measure keyword performance – and especially PPC keyword performance – based on one factor: did that word or phrase bring converting visitors to the site on the visit in which they converted.

So the natural thing to do is trim non-performing words and phrases in order to increase the efficiency of your PPC spend.  And that’s exactly what one client did, except rather than increasing his efficiency, he dropped his sales by 30%.

Why?

Because, depending on what you…

...continue to read "Are Your Analytics Causing You to Lose 30% of Your Sales?"

1. What is the best way to generate sales online? A Forbes study shows that 48% of marketers said that search engine optimization (SEO) was the best method for generating conversions online. It’s always easier to start when visitors have some level of intent.

2. Search drives more sales, but shoppers are thinking longer before buying.

3. Does Google Analytics overstate the value of search? Econsultancy research shows that it might.  Make sure to at least set your cookies for 30 days.

4.…

...continue to read "TheGrok’s Not-To-Miss Links for the Week 6/12/09"

We’re working on completely rewriting the content on our website but several people noticed this and have asked about the new OnTarget(TM) for Google Analytics. OnTarget is now using Google Analytics’ Data Export API.

Here are other apps besides OnTarget that are using Google Analytics’ Data Export API.

Here is OnTarget for Google Analytics:

OnTarget provides full optimization, testing, and improvement cycle recommendations on how to improve goals online and increase conversions from marketing campaigns. Clients determine how many resources can be devoted…

...continue to read "Google Analytics & OnTarget"

1.Google Analytics announced some changes to the referring urls coming from Google search engine results. We later learn that Google adds rank information to referral URL.

2. Google Analytics also announces the availability of a read-only API to their application. Several customer examples of applications built on this API are announced, including FutureNow’s OnTarget for Google Analytics. We can now leverage customer’s Google Analytics tags and bring in the data into OnTarget where our analysts can provide you your to-do list of conversion…

...continue to read "TheGrok’s Not-To-Miss Links for the Week 4/23/09"

Get the most out of your Google Analytics with this collection of links to implement, configure and get insights from Google Analytics. * Last updated 6/10/09.

Initial Setup of Google Analytics

Google Analytics Setup Checklist

* Google Analytics IQ Lessons from Google’s Conversion University with videos

A Video Tutorial to Google Analytics Setup

Google’s Support Installation Guide

How to speed up your website when using Google Analytics

8 Stupid Things Webmasters Do To Mess Up Their Analytics

How to Link Google Analytics to your AdWords Account

Video: How…

...continue to read "The Missing Google Analytics Manual"

While most copywriters have avidly studied Claude Hopkins’ Scientific Advertising, very few have even heard of Theodore MacManus, let alone read his book, The Sword Arm of Business.  And yet MacManus was, in some ways, a more successful ad man, having:

Established his own (very successful) ad agency Launched the Dodge and Chrysler brands Hired and mentored Leo Burnett, creator of the Marlboro Man, Tony the Tiger, Pillsbury Doughboy, and many other advertising icons that made his clients rich Turned positioning…

...continue to read "Sword Arms vs. (Semi) Scientific Advertising"

Wenda Harris Millard “Flat is the new up.” quoted at the recent EconWomen conference. She touches on some of the consumer trends this 2008 holiday season.

25 Web Form Optimization Tips – Covers most of the basics, a good reminder.

Usability of Toilet Paper – who could resist this analysis, especially as my friend David Dalka reminded me – P&G said at a search conference, no one would ever blog about toilet paper. Should it be bottom up or top down?

If you are so inclined…

...continue to read "TheGrok’s Not-To-Miss Links for the Week 10/31/08"

It’s a “crime against humanity” proclaimed my Analytics Evangelist friend, Avinash Kaushik, at the eMetrics Summit. I’ve heard Avinash use this somewhat dramatic expression several times before in relation to web analytics. That is why I’m going to take the equally dramatic liberty of explaining “The 7 Deadly Sins of Web Analytics”:

1. Improper Implementation

According to my friend, Stéphane Hamel the developer behind WASP, a FireFox plugin for detecting and reviewing web analytics implementations, nearly 100% of implementations are setup…

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At the eMetrics Summit today, Google Analytics announced new enterprise-class features including custom reports, advanced segmentation, an API, as well as an updated interface, richer data visualizations, and an integration with Google AdSenseTM.

*Custom reports* enable customers to create their own reports with the metrics they want to compare organized in the way they want to see it. You no longer have to look at the standard reports and using drag and drop you choose the data you want to analyze on your…

...continue to read "Google Analytics Releases Enterprise Feature Set"

Google Analytics provides some great information about what is happening on your website. But what if you want to take it to the next level? Thanks to the many smart people who have created these wonderful hacks and plugins to get you some powerful additions to Google Analytics. Please note most of these need the truly awesome GreaseMonkey FireFox extension.

(*post updated 6/18/09)

1. Social Media Metrics Greasemonkey Plugin For Google Analytics – it pulls the social media metrics right into Google Analytics Content…

...continue to read "The Ultimate Google Analytics Plugins, Hacks & Tricks Collection"